Mandarin Museum News
July 2023
"Embrace the Mandarin Experience"
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Dear friends,
Things are really on the move here at Mandarin Museum. In June, we traveled to the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee to pick up new Maple Leaf shipwreck artifacts on loan for our updated exhibit. While there, the archive and conservation teams treated us to a tour of the conservation lab where they had spent many hours diligently preparing a special item before loading it into the back of our rented moving truck.
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Conservator Darby Robbins, FSU intern Mia Jackson, and conservation volunteer Laura are seen here air scribing a segment of the Maple Leaf's bow to carefully remove surface dust and debris before creating an even coat of linseed oil on the wood and iron fasteners. Measuring 8.5 feet wide and 6 feet tall, it was a weeks-long process.
After a quick ride eastbound on Interstate I-10, the bow made it to its new home at the Museum. We are thrilled to share a piece of this National Historic Landmark with the community and are grateful to the entire team at the State Archives who are devoted to displaying their objects for the public's benefit!
This was one of several major steps forward in the last few weeks as we prepare for a grand reopening in August (date forthcoming)!
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Also in June, there were several sightings of Dr. Keith Holland in the exhibit space as installation progresses. Dr. Holland is the founder of St. Johns Archaeological Expeditions, and he led the team of divers who located the Maple Leaf shipwreck just off the bank of Mandarin Point. In 1989, they recovered thousands of artifacts, including the bow segment, from the wreckage. Dr. Holland, desiring to keep the collection intact and professionally conserved, donated the artifacts to the State. With the reopening, Dr. Holland will return for our popular "Meet the Divers" program to share the story of discovery and excavation.
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We are so excited to welcome you all back! Be sure to check your email regularly in the coming week for more details!
Warmest regards,
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Brittany Cohill
Executive Director
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Happy Independence Day from the Mandarin Museum! We hope you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.
The Mandarin community has a long history of patriotism. The Liberty League, established by a group of Mandarin citizens in 1917, focused on providing blankets to the Allied troops and selling war bonds during World War I. At the end of the war, the League transitioned into the Mandarin Community Club, founded on July 2, 1923. Celebrating their 100th anniversary today, we congratulate our community partner and wish them another vibrant 100 years!
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The Rotary Club of Mandarin presented Mandarin Museum & Historical Society with a $1200 check to help fund the purchase of a new point-of-sale system for our updated Museum shop. The new system is an important volunteer-friendly upgrade that will allow us to track and manage inventory, and streamline the purchase process for our visitors. We thank the Rotary Club of Mandarin for being a valuable supporter of our mission! Their fundraising and community service efforts are an asset to the entire Mandarin area. |
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Special thanks are also due to Councilman Michael Boylan. On June 30th, he signed the approval to allot $71,000 from the District 6 Park fund for the acquisition and installation of additional lighting and security cameras throughout Walter Jones Historical Park. We are proud of our partnership with the City of Jacksonville to make the Park a beautiful, peaceful, and educational space for our community. Thank you Councilman Boylan and COJ for listening and responding to constituent ideas for protecting our natural and historical resources! |
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Volunteer Spotlight
Mary Roderick
by Paula Suhey
Volunteer Mary Roderick is a former school teacher who has lived and taught in Maine, California, Florida, and Maryland.
“I have always found it important to learn about the history of the area where I lived,” said Mary.
“I visited Walter Jones Historical Park with my grandson when he was a scout and I found it a wonderful source for the history of Mandarin.”
Mary is a native of Washington, DC who has been married to a Navy man for 53 years. That took her to many states as a wife, mother of two, and teacher until she retired in 2006.
“My husband, Denny, and I had lived in Jacksonville in the late '80s, and this has been our second home. We made this our permanent residence in 2014 and enjoy spending time with one of our daughters and her husband and four of our six grandchildren.”
Volunteering in the Schoolhouse has been a perfect fit for Mary. She appreciates the welcoming staff and the opportunities she has visiting with so many interesting people who come into the historic building.
“I may be acting as the teacher,” she said, “but I always learn something from those who come to visit.”
"And," Mary said, "fortunately, I am blessed with good health, but I can only play so many rounds of golf a week. Volunteering at the Museum is a small way I can give back to my community."
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What's new with our Duval County Master Gardeners? |
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Liberty Landscape Supply on San Jose Boulevard so graciously donated native plants, grasses, and soil to spread and plant around the new additions to the Mandarin Museum building. Master Gardeners Christine Morrow, George DeMarino, Candace Barone, and Juliet Johnson (along with Museum Board Vice-president Sandy Arpen and Museum volunteer Tracey Arpen) were on hand to ensure the job got done!
The Duval County Master Gardeners are community-based volunteers affiliated with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The UF/IFAS Duval County Extension offers research-based assistance, information, and advice for community partners and residents. We are grateful for them and Liberty Landscape Supply for supporting our ongoing beautification and educational efforts in Walter Jones Historical Park!
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The FIRST and THIRD Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: The historic buildings in Walter Jones Historical Park will be open including the 1875 Webb/Jones farmhouse, 1876 Barn, 1898 St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African American Children, and Losco Winery Log Cabin. The Historic Mandarin Store & Post Office will be open on the THIRD Saturday only.
Mandarin Museum's main building remains closed for renovation, but the Museum Shop is available when the park buildings are open as listed above.
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Save the Date
Thursday, August 17: Third Thursday Lecture. Greg Holbook, Executive Director of the New Smyrna Museum of History, will present on the Murray/Sheldon family, early 19th-century residents of Mandarin. Originally from Philadelphia, George Murray was a well-known engraver. The family also owned land grants in Mandarin and New Smyrna. Mr. Murray died young, and his wife and children came to Mandarin alone. Their daughter, Jane Murray, married John Dwight Sheldon in what is now Walter Jones Historical Park. Jane and Dwight buried three children on that land before selling the property in 1840. They moved to New Smyrna where they became well-known and distinguished citizens.
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Mandarin Newsline
Read the July 2023 issue of the Mandarin Newsline online now!
This free newspaper allows Mandarin Museum to share history, events, and programs with the public. The newspaper remains free to readers due to the robust local advertising. Please visit, shop, and eat at those businesses who support the community in this way.
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Take a moment to connect with your Mandarin neighbors... |
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More ways to stay up-to-date! |
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Thank you to our all of our community partners!
Mandarin Museum is funded in part through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the City of Jacksonville.
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MISSION: Mandarin Museum & Historical Society shares the stories of Mandarin's history, culture, and natural resources by providing engaging programs that educate, entertain and inspire.
VISIT. JOIN. VOLUNTEER.
Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
904-268-0784
info@mandarinmuseum.org
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